What has happened to our leaders in Washington? Have they lost all sense of decorum, all ability to be civil, all respect for the President, their colleagues or even themeselves?
As reported in the Washington Post, during last nights address by President Obama to a joint session of Congress, the president said that his health-care reform proposals would not provide benefits to illegal immigrants. Then, on national television, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) shouted at the president from his seat. “You lie!” he yelled.
Rep. Wilson, have you no shame?
Were I a citizen of South Carolina, I would do everything in my power to see that you never win another election. Your boorish, ill-mannered, disrespectful conduct degrades your fellow congressmen, brings dishonor to the President, and is an embarrassment to yourself.
Partsian politics does not trump all things, Mr. Wilson. And your conduct was appalling. Whether you agree with the President or not, there is a certain amount of dignity that the president should be afforded when he is speaking to Congress on national television.
The Washington Post noted that Mr. Wilson was rebuked by non other than the GOP 2008 presidential candidate. “Totally disrespectful. No place for it, and he should apologize,” said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Your flagrant display of improper conduct, Mr. Wilson, was the exact thing the president was talking about when he said: “when we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter, we don’t merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves.”
The Post article goes on to describe the other outbursts by GOP and Democrats alike. I believe I echo the feelings of most Americans when I say “Enough.” Partisian politics where party loyalty means more than getting things accomplished must end.
When Sen. Kennedy died, nearly all the tributes for him by members of congress spoke to his ability to get legislation enacted by reaching across the aisle and dealing with Democrats and Republicans alike. Before all this party bitterness, that used to be how things got done — it used to be the norm! Now everyone seems so focused on doing what the party wants, on winning the next election, on appealing to their more strident constitutents, that getting things done for the county takes a distant back seat.
Perhaps that’s why Senators Snowe and Collins are so popular in Maine. They’re moderate Republicans who see the value in compromise and working with their colleagues regardless of party affiliation. I think that if they were moderate Democrats with the same outlook, they’d be just a popular in this state.
The president can only call for “civil conversation” and be rebuffed so many times. It was no different for President Bush. During his first election he promised to work with Democrats to help the country. He soon saw that political divisions made it next to impossible. President Obama promised the same thing and is trying to offer an olive branch to Republicans.
At one point in his speech, President Obama said “I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility and gridlock with progress.”
Naive? Perhaps. But at least he’s trying.
I can't believe the inappropriate and disrespectful behavior towards our president.
Posted by: Amy | September 10, 2020 at 05:42 PM
I live in IL in the 20th Congressional, the rep from my district walked out. He'a GOP guy too
John Shimkus is his name. Being a bad rep is his game.
Posted by: Bob I | September 14, 2020 at 03:31 AM